Today (Jan. 15) is a significant release day in the R&B world; it marks the release of two highly anticipated albums, Beautiful by the late great Teena Marie and Goldenheart by the always-innovative Dawn Richard. Both releases are sure to find success with the support of their legions of fans.
Beautiful, Teena Marie
It’s been a bit over two years since the world lost the ivory queen of soul Teena Marie. At the time of her death, she was working on and finished her 14th studio project at her Pasadena, California home studio; everything was finished except the mixing of the tracks. The project has now become a posthumous project completed by her daughter Alia Rose, and will be a gift for fans who’ll appreciate taking a piece of Teena’s legacy in the package of music.
The nostalgic first single “Luv Letter” gives us that funky swing Teena famously delivered. Her daughter Alia assisted her mother on three of the album’s tracks: “Rare Breed,” “Beautiful,” and “Give Me Your Love,” a Curtis Mayfield cover. She lent her pen to co-write “Sweet Tooth” and “Beautiful.” When it comes to lyrics, the project eerily foretells of death. On the song “Rare Breed,” Teena sings “I could say I had the world here in my hands and not believe/That angels sat beside me to protect my very dreams.” On the tune “The Long Play,” the voice of a radio DJ says, “broadcasting to you from a heavenly station.” “If you listen to the lyrics, it’s almost as if she was making that transition to the spiritual world as the record was being made, which is incredible,” says Alia. “It’s like we’re going on this journey with her.”
Co-produced Doug Grigsby, Beautiful will preserve Teena Marie’s legacy as an R&B great.
Goldenheart, Dawn Richard (BUY NOW)
Finally, Dawn Richard is a solidified solo artist; she now has the full-length solo-album to back it up, so it’s safe to distance your association of her with being in a group. Goldenheart is the first of an epic trilogy of albums, all poised to represent the beauty in the battles of life, and the passion it takes to overcome and win them. BlackHeart and RedemptionHeart will follow up in the series.
“It’s a journey of a message,” Dawn told Singersroom about her first solo album Goldenheart. “You look at the story of Joan of Arc and what she was, that’s more religious and it was a battle for her, but it’s more the story of her having a message that she felt she needed to carry through, that she went about it by any means necessary, and it was almost borderline madness; she didn’t know if she was crazy, or if she really did have a message.
She continued: “To me, that’s the story of passion; you’re fighting for something beyond what you can even explain to people. And the only way to explain it is by saying, “I have something that I have to teach you, and I’m not retreating until you understand that this is important. And that’s exactly what this message is with this album, from the lyrical content, to the visual, to the dance artistry of it all. We have a message, it’s plain and simple: you have to fight for your passion, and you have to fight for your love, but we’re just doing it in a way that’s not preachy. We’re just doing it in a dope way that’s like an average, regular album, but we wanted to do it in a slick way that has you wanting more. It wasn’t like, preaching to you “you have to do this,” it’s more like yo, when you fighting in a battle, it’s ok to fight as long as you know that you’re the survivor you can win the battle. And that’s the battle with love, that’s the battle with this music industry, it’s whatever you choose it to be. But for me, it was my journey in the industry.”
And indeed, there’s something for everyone on Goldenheart. You have your uptempo dance tunes (“Northern Lights,” “Riot”), your slow jams (“Tug of War,” “Frequency”), your epic ballads (“Warfaire, “[300]”), and everything in between. Richard even samples “Claire de Lune,” the classical piece by French composer Claude Debussy, turning it into the album’s title track cool-down finale.
Both Beautiful and Goldenheart are available now in hard and digital copies. Which album are you picking up?
Music is an ever-evolving art form that can bring people together. It’s the perfect way to express emotions and feelings, and when two vocalists come together with amazing harmonies, something beautiful is created. Today we will be talking about two legendary female artists who have recently released new albums – Teena Marie’s ‘Beautiful’ and Dawn Richard’s ‘Goldenheart’.
The first artist we’ll discuss is Teena Marie. She has been in the music industry for decades, having gained fame for her unique style of soulful R&B fused with funk and jazz. With her newest album “Beautiful”, she continues to stay true to her roots while also pushing herself into new creative heights musically. The 10-track album features heartfelt ballads as well as upbeat pop tunes that are sure to make listeners feel every emotion possible.
Dawn Richard follows up last year’s critically acclaimed project ‘Redemption Heart’ with a brand new release called ‘Goldenheart’. This album takes us on a journey through a mix of genres from Pop, EDM, Hip Hop, Soul and so much more! On each track Richard showcases her impressive range both vocally and lyrically which gives fans a real insight into the depths of her creativity. Both Teena Marie’s ‘Beautiful’ and Dawn Richard’s ‘Goldenheart’ are definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for some great new music!
Overview Of Teena Marie’s ‘Beautiful’
Teena Marie’s ‘Beautiful’ is her first album in eight years, and it marks a return to the classic R&B style that made her famous. It’s an upbeat collection of songs that reflects on love, loss, relationships, and life. The music is full of soulful grooves and Teena’s signature sultry vocals. She has no shortage of catchy hooks to keep listeners engaged throughout the entire record.
The standout tracks include “It Must Be Magic,” with its infectious beat; “Ain’t No Shame,” which features a jazzy horn section; and “Sunshine & Rainbows” for its message about faithfulness through tough times. These are just some examples of how Teena manages to capture different moods while staying true to her roots. Her lyrics also have an emotional depth that will draw in even those unfamiliar with her work as she addresses topics like heartbreak and resilience in powerful ways.
For longtime fans, this album offers something special: a chance to reconnect with their favorite artist after all these years away from the spotlight. Teena Marie has delivered an uplifting piece of art that celebrates both the highs and lows of life—and proves why she remains one of the most beloved singers in our time.
Overview Of Dawn Richard’s ‘Goldenheart’
Dawn Richard’s ‘Goldenheart’ is an ambitious, genre-bending record that showcases her artistry and creativity. Combining elements of R&B, pop, rock, and electronic music, she delivers a unique soundscape unlike anything else currently on the charts. Her lush instrumentation and captivating vocal performances create a powerful atmosphere to explore themes like identity and self-discovery.
The album features several standout tracks including “Wild N’ Faith,’ which blends soulful vocals with hard-hitting beats; ‘Gleaux,’ which combines pop melodies with dreamy synths; and ‘Tide: The Paradox Effect’, a hauntingly beautiful song about embracing one’s inner darkness. Throughout the record Dawn experiments with different sounds while maintaining a consistent thread of emotionality in her lyrics. It’s clear that this project was crafted with care as each track has its own distinct flavor yet still feels part of the bigger picture.
Overall, Dawn Richard offers listeners something special—a listening experience that is both mesmerizing and thought provoking. She has created an intricate sonic world for us to get lost in while exploring our own emotions along the way. With ‘Goldenheart’, Dawn proves why she is a true innovator in modern R&B music.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Teena Marie’s ‘Beautiful’ and Dawn Richard’s ‘Goldenheart’ are both remarkable albums that exemplify the power of music to transcend boundaries. From Teena Marie’s smooth vocals on her soulful tracks to Dawn Richard’s emotive lyrics and experimental production, there is something for everyone in these two releases.
For those who appreciate classic R&B stylings from a veteran artist, Teena Marie’s ‘Beautiful’ will be sure to satisfy. The album showcases her beautiful voice while remaining true to its roots in soul music. Meanwhile, Dawn Richard’s ‘Goldenheart’ offers an innovative take on R&B with its genre-bending soundscapes and powerful lyrics. Both albums demonstrate the unique ways in which artists can push the boundaries of their genres while still maintaining a sense of familiarity.
Ultimately, fans of all kinds of music should check out both these new releases as they offer something truly special that cannot be found elsewhere — a testament to how far modern pop, rock, hip hop, and R&B have come over the years. Whether it’s Teena Marie or Dawn Richard you’re listening to, chances are you’ll find yourself captivated by their uplifting messages and infectious sounds.
